IDAHOT/B 2015 marked in Belgrade

To mark the International day against homophobia, transphobia and biphobia (IDAHOT/B), on Sunday, May 17th, a rainbow flag together with a trans rights flag were dropped from the Ombudsman’s building in Belgrade

In this symbolic way, people of different sexual orientations and gender identities were shown support and attention was drawn to the problems these people have to live with on day to day basis.

Photo: RTS

Besides Gordana Stevanović, Ombudsman’s deputy, members of the Gender equality council were also present, and representatives of Gayten-LGBT and Labris, Milan Đurić and Jovanka Todorović respectively. Afterwards, Ombudsman’s deputy headed to Students’ park to an IDAHOT queer picnic, organized by Gayten-LGBT and Labris, also in order to mark this year’s IDAHOT day.
The event was well attended – it is estimated that around 80 to 90 people came. Flags were put up around the park, there was music and refreshments. The event was guarded by police forces and there were no incidents during, before or after the event.

In Serbia, LGBTQIA people are still not sufficiently and adequately protected, although recently huge steps have been undertaken to protect and improve their position, such as the making of the strategic documents containing actual measures dedicated to the improvement of LGBTQIA people’s lives. Before-mentioned organisations take part in these processes.

The International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia (also IDAHO, IDAHOT, or IDAHOBiT) is observed on May 17 and aims to coordinate international events that raise awareness of LGBTQIA rights violations and stimulate interest in LGBTQIA rights work worldwide. IDAHO’s date was chosen to commemorate the decision to remove homosexuality from the International Classification of Diseases of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1990.